Get in the Halloween spirit with these spooky, spectacular, and supernatural events. Greater Peoria is packed with haunted happenings every autumn, from family-friendly activities to frightening fun. Celebrate the spookiest time of year with haunted locations, cemetery tours, pumpkin picking, and beyond.
Here’s a few of the best things to do for Halloween in Greater Peoria, excerpted from the September/October 2024 Calendar of Events.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
Haunted Houses, Trails + Manors {Greater Peoria} // Leaves changing colors and pumpkin spice mean the arrival of fall and
Halloween and the opening of haunted attractions across Greater Peoria. Check out these 5 terrifying haunted attractions in the Greater Peoria Area.
U-Pick Farms + Orchards {Greater Peoria} // Whether you're looking to pick sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears, vegetables, mums, or more, check out these amazing options to pick-your-own produce in the Peoria Area. For a list of farms and orchards, read Peoria Area U-Pick Farms + Orchards
EVENTS + ACTIVITIES
Spooktacular art classes at Art at the Bodega {Washington} // Now - October 27 // Let’s get this Halloween season started! Art at the Bodega has an array of classes from acrylics on canvas and fused glass to clay handbuilding and wheel throwing!
Witches Night Out in {Wyoming} // October 3 // Join us for our first monthly Sip n’ Shop. Visit each shop to sample wine and cider! Grab your Ghoul friends and have a spooky good time! Witch attire is optional. Makers Mall, Rough & Tumbled, Sunflower Boutique, and The Vintage Rose Boutique
Zoobrew, Wine & Spirits too! at the Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 3 // Join us for a favorite fall tradition and be the first to have a HOWLing Good Time! You are invited to sample beer and wine selected by local vendors, and BOOzy spirits of all kinds, as the VERY FIRST people to experience the haunting Halloween trails at Peoria Zoo.
Hayrides & Hotdogs at Sommer Farm {Peoria} // October 3, 10, 17, 24 // Come experience an annual fall event featuring a hayrack ride and hotdog/smore roast over an open fire. Meals include hotdog(s), baked beans, chips, smore and hot chocolate. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Cauldron's & Cocktails at Kelleher's Irish Pub {Peoria} // October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 // Get ready for a hauntingly good time! Our exclusive Halloween-themed pop-up bar is back, where potions and spine-chilling eats await!
Springdale Cemetery Tour with the Peoria Historical Society {Peoria} // October 4 // Historic Springdale Cemetery has many fascinating stories. Explore the oldest chartered cemetery in the state of Illinois and enjoy the beautiful park-like setting as you hear stories of those who have their final resting place in Peoria during this guided history tour.
Fox Fall Fest 2024 at The Fox Pub and Cafe {Peoria} // October 5 // Get ready for a spectacular celebration of autumn at The Fox Pub! We’re hosting our Annual Fox Fall Fest, and it’s going to be a day filled with flavor, fun, and festivities.
Spooky Movie on the Square at the Metamora Village Square {Metamora} // October 5 // Kick off the spooky season with an outdoor movie showing of “Haunted Mansion”. Complimentary popcorn along with donuts + cider for purchase. Wear your favorite costume for a fun + festive night.
The Cat and the Canary at the Peoria Riverfront Museum {Peoria} // October 5 // A Broadway hit that helped to launch the theatrical craze for “old dark house” thrillers. Laura La Plante is the first-generation scream queen, a stylish young woman invited to a decaying mansion for the midnight reading of a will, along with half a dozen other scheming heirs and likely suspects.
Fall Festival at the Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 5, 12, 19, 26 // Celebrate the harvest season with us as we bring you a day full of family-friendly fun and festivities. Enjoy live entertainment, capture memories at our photo ops, indulge in special concessions, and explore unique vendors, all while witnessing exciting animal enrichment activities. Join us each Saturday in October from 10 AM to 3 PM for our not-so-spooky daytime extravaganza.
Skull Macrame Workshop at Crafted D.I.Y {Peoria} // October 6 // Create this awesome skull shaped macrame in black or white! Just in time for Halloween or Day of the Dead. Book ahead, seats are limited!
Howl-Zoo-Ween at the Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 11 + 12 // Calling all ghosts, ghouls, and little goblins! Embark on an enchanting trick-or-treat trail filled with surprises and delights. The Howl-Zoo-Ween tradition you look forward to is back and better than ever…. more decorations, more tricks, more treats…. and most of all, more fun!
Wildlife Scary Park at Wildlife Prairie Park {Hanna City} // October 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 // Join us for the spookiest adventure of the season promising thrills, chills, and delightful frights for all ages. With our new ADA train car and easier walking paths for strollers, wheelchairs and scooters, Wildlife Scary Park is for ALL to enjoy.
Harvest Howl at the Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 18 + 19 // Stroll through our captivating walking trail, where animatronic scenes and live actors bring the spirit of the season to life. Marvel at the lifelike displays while savoring the season with delicious themed food and beverages. Perfect for all ages!
Witches Walk at Fon du Lac Farm Park {East Peoria} // October 18, 19, 25, 26 // Come follow the luminary “Witches Walk”, while experiencing the spooky sights and sounds of the season. “Not so scary, just the right amount of fright for the little ones”. The farm buildings are decorated for Halloween and the ponds are aglow.
Halloween Paint & Sip at Tres Rojas Winery {Washington} // October 23 // Come paint a spooky Halloween canvas with us. Make it a girls night or a date night if you dare! Wear your best witch or warlock hat!!
Zombie Apocalypse Party at The Cookery {Morton} // October 24 // Calling all survivors! If you are a big fan of all things zombie, join us for a disgustingly awesome apocalypse party! Great for adults and teens and very brave little ones!!
Boo-zy Halloween Party at The Cookery {Morton} // October 25 // If you love all things Halloween as much as we do, you won’t want to miss out on this spooktacular evening! We’ll make all sorts of Halloween themed foods! Adults only. Get that costume on and join us!!
Halloween Live at the Five Spot at Contemporary Art Center of Peoria {Peoria} // October 25 // A special 3-hour event, starring Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard. Dress up to compete for Best Costume via voting ballot! This event WILL sell out, so get your discounted tickets in advance.
Haunted Peoria Tour with the Peoria Historical Society {Peoria} // October 25 + 30 // Explore the darker side of Peoria in one of our most popular tours! Hear startling stories, frightening legends, spooky sightings, tales of curses, gravesites and more. Join us if you dare!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show performed by the Peoria Players Theatre {Peoria} // October 25 + 26 // The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns to Peoria Players Theatre for its traditional midnight showings and we are bringing back a special early show again this year! As always, we will play the movie in its entirety while our cast acts along on the stage. Dress as your favorite character!
Wicked Wild Walk at Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 25 + 26 // Enjoy a spine-tingling journey through our animatronic-filled trails.Perfect for all ages, this event offers a fantastic blend of spooky fun and affordability…. This walk is a frightfully delightful way to experience the magic of the season one last time!
Backstreet’s Back Halloween Bash at Sunset Hills Eatery {Pekin} // October 26 // Come dressed up for costume contests and a night of fun and some incredible music – including some haunted tunes!
Halloween Monster Bash at Four Points by Sheraton {Peoria} // October 26 // Cumulus Radio Peoria is having a party, a spooky night of ghouls, goblins, and shaking your boo-tay, you're in for a scare. It's a Halloween Monster Bash so dress up if you dare! 21+ only event!
Halloween Spooktacular at the Pickers Daughter {East Peoria} // October 26 // Bring your lil ghosts & goblins by the Pickers Daughter from 10am to 3pm for a spooky treat! You'll find some scary crazy sales and markdowns! Don't miss out on your chance to win some wicked prizes.
Witches Night Out at Curvy Chic Boutique {Pekin} // October 26 // Grab your ghouls and join us for a magical night of shopping & fun at Curvy Chic Boutique! Necklace charm bar, tarot card reading and delicious spooky drinks. Wear your best witch hat to be entered into a prize drawing.
The Ball of Peoria: Witches and Warlocks at Peoria Women’s Club {Peoria} // October 26 // Join us for a night of bewitching! Enjoy the soft sound of the flute as you enter and your name is announced. We highly recommend dressing up in your best witch and warlock outfits. We will announce the best dressed Witch and Warlock at the end of the night. A fundraising event for the restoration of the theatre.
Screaming Pumpkin through Springdale Cemetery {Peoria} // October 26 // Benefitting the Yellow Bear Foundation, the Screaming Pumpkin night race will wind through the Springdale Cemetery. Chills and thrills will keep you motivated as you run or walk through our 2 mile walk, 6.55 mile run, half marathon, full marathon, or full marathon relay! Run or walk if you dare. Once you start, there is no turning back.
Frankenweenie at The Peoria Riverfront Museum {Peoria} // October 26 // Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. But then, tragedy strikes, and Sparky shuffles off this mortal coil.
Haunted Hallways at Proctor Recreation Center {Peoria} // October 26 // Join us for a spine-chilling evening! Brave the eerie corridors filled with thrills and chills, perfect for all ages. As you journey through the spooky trail, collect delicious treats from our friendly volunteers stationed along the way. Back again this year, enjoy our classic hayride around the block!
Boo Bash 2024 at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie {Peoria} // October 27 // Enjoy treats, not tricks, and fun, not frights as the kiddos enjoy candy stops, balloon art, face painting, character visits, circus performers, photo ops and more!!
Ghost Chase 5k Race at Three Sisters Park {Chillicothe} // October 28 // The Ghost Chase 5k is an event benefiting the Illinois Valley Central School district Band Programs and consists of a 5K run and 1 Mile fun walk.
Kids Halloween Spooktacular! at The Cookery {Morton} // October 29 + 30 // Trick or Treat and smell my feet, cook something good to eat! Let’s liven up our typical Halloween bash and have some hands on fun this year!
Costume Parade at Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum {Peoria} // October 31 // Celebrate Halloween at the Peoria PlayHouse! Join our fun-filled Costume Parade on October 31st and enjoy watching your child show off their fang-tastic costume.
HOCUS POCUS EVENTS
Hocus Pocus Trivia Night {Peoria Heights} // September 24 // An evening of trivia questions from Hocus Pocus 1 & 2. These witches are trifling, beware!
Hocus Pocus Ladies Night Out {Morton} // October 16 // Enjoy the movie while you paint some fresh home decor all while eating some delicious ice cream!
Hocus Pocus Outdoor Movie Night {Chillicothe} // October 18 // Free + outdoors. Bring your lawn chair or blankets. Concessions available.
Hocus Pocus Family Night {Creve Coeur} // October 25 // Free movie night with treats! Fun costumes encouraged.
Hocus Pocus Paint Night {Henry} // October 8 // “Tonight we fly” I smell a painting party!
